Oldfield School STEM Facility - In conjunction with The Qube
Project Snapshot
LOCATION: Bath
SIZE: 540 m2
CLIENT: The Qube for Oldfield School
USE: Food Science and Design Technology STEM Facility
175mm SIP Panel
The panels are typically 1220mm wide and can be as long as 7.5 metres in length to suit each individual project. https://sipbuilduk.co.uk/sip-walls/
Joisted Deck for a flat roof @600mm ctrs (Structural design to ‘EC5’)
Metal Open Web Internal Floors.
A metal open web floor refers to a floor construction method that utilizes metal open web joists or trusses. This design allows for efficient routing of services and provides cost savings, ease of installation, and design flexibility. https://sipbuilduk.co.uk/sip-flooring
TF200
TF200 is a breather membrane product offered by the company Glidevale Protect. It is a high-performance membrane meant for safeguarding external walls including roof while construction is happening.
Oldfield School STEM Facility – In conjunction with The Qube
The Brief:
Oldfield School wanted a future-proof learning environment without the disruption of a long on-site build. The Qube secured the turnkey contract and brought SIP Build UK in early to engineer a high-performance, sustainable superstructure that could be delivered to a fast and predictable program while achieving key project requirements..
- Speed & Predictability – Off-site SIP manufacture let The Qube and SIP Build UK deliver the full superstructure in weeks, not months, with a just-in-time delivery schedule that avoided on-site storage and kept the school running as normal.
- Precision & Performance – Factory-built 175 mm SIPs guaranteed airtightness and thermal efficiency, helping the school hit its energy targets and reducing future running costs.
- Logistics & Access – Restricted access and a 90 m haul road demanded a lightweight but structurally strong system. SIPs craned in on rigid vehicles, were the obvious fit.
- Sustainability – Timber-based SIP construction aligns with Bath & North East Somerset’s low-carbon agenda and the school’s own sustainability goals.
Our SIP Superstructure
In conjunction with The Qube, SIP Build UK designed, engineered and installed the high performance, thermally efficient SIPs system on site to a fast and predictable program. The system engineered to class 2B standard allowing for disproportionate collapse comprised of the following
- 175 mm SIP walls
- 89x38mm internal stud walls
- Metal Open Web Intermediate floors
- Glulam beams & primed steels
SIP Build UK Comment
"Oldfield School needed a building that could keep pace with modern STEM teaching without the headaches of a drawn-out build. By collaborating with The Qube from the earliest RIBA stage, we were able to precision-engineer and deliver a Class 2B SIP superstructure in just eight weeks—175 mm panels, glulam beams, open-web floors, the works. Fast program? Tick. Tight site logistics? No problem. High thermal performance and airtightness? Built in from day one. The finished STEM facility proves what we do best: future-ready, low-carbon structures delivered on schedule, with the rock-solid certifications to back it up."
Key Certification and Accreditation for the SIPs system
- BBA Certification
- Structural Timber Association (STA) Gold Assure Certification
- Panel Specific Fire test data
- ISO9001
- Full O&M design and engineering pack to Class 2B provided
The Outcome
SIP Build UK worked with The Qube from RIBA Stage 2 as the collaboration looked to maximise efficiencies in building performance, program and cost. Partnering in this manner allowed for a seamless design period where SIP Build UK were able to precision engineer and fabricate the complete SIPs system in just 8 weeks ready for the onsite install.
The result is a sleek, double-storey 270 m² facility—science and food tech classrooms, prep room, office and WCs—wrapped in fire-treated cedar cladding with solar-glazed aluminium openings.
Oldfield School now has a future-ready STEM hub built to last, completed at speed, and delivered with the precision and thermal performance only a SIP Build UK superstructure can offer.
The SIPs structure was installed on site, on time, allowing The Qube to then complete what is now a high performance, sustainable learning environment for all.
Oldfield School STEM Facility – In conjunction with The Qube 👉 View The Qube Timelapse ›
See SIPs in Action
For more insight into our completed educational buildings using SIPs, explore our project gallery. 👉 View the Gallery ›
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